Perform PCR tests on SJB MPs to ensure safety of all MPs: Prasanna

Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunge today requested that all SJB MPs be subject to PCR tests to ensure safety of other MPs in the House.

Parliament to felicitate Yohani on Nov. 23

Parliament is to felicitate singer Yohani De Silva who had won international fame for her song ’Meneki mage hithe’ recently.

Govt. extends 10 month nutrition package up to 24 months for pregnant mothers: Amaraweera

The government has decided to extend the Rs. 10,000 nutrition package provided for 10 months to 24 months to improve the nutritional status of pregnant mothers in our country, the Environment Minister said.

Some public reps don’t use state funds; but not even to build culverts: Amaraweera

The government provides money to every public representative to serve the public, but it is not used to build at least culverts, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Kalu Sagara’s accomplice ’Army Amila’ wanted over multiple murders arrested in Tangalle

The Special Task Force of Police (STF) has arrested a wanted criminal known as ’ Army Amila’, an accomplice of leading organized criminal ’Kalu Sagara’ who is currently operating from overseas.

Exams Dept. to conduct driving licence test: DMT head

The written examination for obtaining driving licenses is to be conducted by the Examinations Department soon, the Motor Traffic Department (DMT) said.

Ban liquor quarter bottles permanently: NATA urges

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) urged the complete ban on pocket size quarter liquor bottles, saying a growing public opinion points out the item is causing major health and environmental hazards.

Showery condition to subside gradually from today: Met Dept.

The showery condition is expected to subside and a depression centered in the north-east of Sri Lanka at the Bay of Bengal is moving northwestwards and will reach southern part of Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining Northern areas of Tamil Nadu coasts today, the Meteorology Department said.

Reckless behaviour could lead to school closure, lockdown during Christmas: PHIU

If people do not adhere to health guidelines during this long weekend, we would have to take the country to another lockdown during the upcoming Christmas season, Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union President Upul Rohana said.

No fuel scarcity in the country: CPSTL Chairman

Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd (CPSTL) Chairman M. Uvais Mohamed requested motorists not to panic to fill their vehicle tanks by waiting in long queues at filling stations.

Clusters found in five districts; things could go from bad to worse, warns Health DG

COVID clusters have been identified in five districts in the country, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said.

General Mahesh Senanayake inducted into US Army Command Hall of Fame

Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake has been inducted into the United States Army Command and General Staff College International Hall of Fame.

Tourism stakeholders hurt and disappointed with govt. sentiments towards industry

Sri Lanka’s crippled tourism sector that is struggling to stay afloat is “very disappointed” in the statement made by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and feels “hammered down” by the government especially at a time when some stimulus is needed to revive from the global health crisis, Sri Lanka Tourism Advisory Committee President Hiran Cooray said.

Longest partial lunar eclipse on Nov.19; not visible to SL: Prof. Jayarathne

The longest partial lunar eclipse in 580 years will take place on the daytime of November 19, Colombo University Physics Department Professor Chandana Jayaratne said.

45 Indians at H’tota Investment Zone tested COVID positive

Some forty-five Indian workers at a cement factory that is under construction in the Hambantota Investment Zone have been diagnosed with coronavirus, the Southern Provincial Health Services Office Director said.

Increase in passenger operations at BIA: Tourism Ministry

Following the opening of the country after the Covid epidemic and the relaxation of health guidelines, the number of daily passenger operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport has increased, the Tourism Ministry said.

Dengue fever is becoming more critical, similar to COVID: Pediatrician

Similar to the COVID cases, there is an increase in dengue cases in the country, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said

Increase in COVID infection among children after re-opening schools: PHI union

There is an upward trend in COVID positive cases among school children including primary schools after re-opening schools for educational activities, the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union said.

Budget 2022 of Valvettithurai Urban Council in Jaffna defeated

The budget for the year 2022 of the Valvettithurai Urban Council in Jaffna has been defeated by one vote.

Institutional and Legal Framework of several Ministries amended

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amended the Institutional and Legal Framework of several Ministries including the Finance Ministry with effect from yesterday (17).

‘Help Maldives, Sri Lanka in its economic recovery’ Maldives Pres tells international community

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror, Maldives President Mohamed Solih who was on a recent two-day visit to Sri Lanka said the Maldives economy which was heavily dependent on its tourism industry, is on its way to recovery after being hit by the virus, and had managed to bounce back to around 70 percent of what it used to be before the pandemic.

Six women arrested in Mt. Lavinia brothel raid

Seven persons including six women were arrested by the Police yesterday on charges of having run a brothel under the guise of a massage parlour in Mount Lavinia.

Unveiling of Sandahiruseya Cheithiya in Anuradhapura today

The unveiling of Sandahiruseya Cheithiya in Anuradhapura and offering it to the Maha Sangha will take place this afternoon (18) with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as chief guests.

Govt. slammed for failing to build foreign reserve buffers

In the absence of policy guidance, the government has failed miserably to build up its foreign reverses in contrast to other South Asian governments, which have beefed up reserves to meet the external challenges, a senior Opposition lawmaker charged.

Energy Minister warns of temporary shortages of fuel due to panic buying

The government assured that the country has sufficient stocks of petroleum oil while cautioning that panic buying may lead to short-term shortages at fuel stations.

Tourism sector received over US $ 100mn investments in last 9 months: Prasanna

Sri Lanka’s hard-hit tourism sector has received investments amounting to US $ 101 million in the last nine months, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 22 projects worth of US $ 92 million have received the nod to kick off, Tourism Minister Pransanna Ranatunga said.

Mano Ganesan contracts COVID-19

MP Mano Ganesan has tested positive for COVID-19 in a Rapid Antigen Test.

Schools and colleges shut as pollution worsens

Authorities in the Indian capital, Delhi, have shut all schools and colleges indefinitely amid the worsening levels of air pollution.

Russia to assist in generating low-cost electricity using nuclear power

The Russian Federation has agreed to explore the possibility of generating low-cost electricity in Sri Lanka through new sources such as nuclear power.

Steps underway to avert rise in COVID cases due to protest in Colombo: Health Ministry

All necessary steps are being taken to prevent a possible surge in COVID cases that could be experienced consequent to the protest campaign by a political party in Colombo yesterday, the Health Ministry said.